Iraqi politicians arrested in major anti-corruption raid

TT

Published 18.00

 

The Shia militia Saraya al-Salam is one of two militias in Iraq that have agreed to hand over their weapons to the Iraqi state. The picture was taken on June 4, 2026. Photo: Anmar Khalil/AP/TT

Iraqi authorities have arrested 47 civil servants and members of parliament in a major anti-corruption raid in Baghdad.

Early Sunday morning, Iraq's special and anti-terrorism forces carried out a major raid on Baghdad's Green Zone in which embassies, international institutions and politicians' homes were searched.

47 people, including at least one from the country's oil ministry, were arrested on suspicion of corruption.

Iraq's newly elected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has promised to fight corruption in the country and introduce a state arms monopoly. When the US president visits the country next month, al-Zaidi is expected to renew a pledge to disarm pro-Iranian militias.

"What we saw happen today is just the beginning," an anonymous security source told AFP, referring to the prime minister's anti-corruption campaign.